Paul casey is one decent round away from completing his comeback from a slump so bad that it had people concerned for his future.

But one of those people - US Open champion Michael Campbell - could be the man to deny Casey victory in the Quinn Direct British Masters at The Belfry today.

The Ryder Cup star, three clear at halfway, counter-balanced three bogeys with five birdies in his third round and with a 70 moved onto the 13-under-par total of 203.

His closing bogey, however, cut Casey's lead over Campbell to two, the New Zealander posting a 68 to move into second place a stroke ahead of Darren Clarke.

At this tournament last year Casey began a nightmare run of seven successive missed cuts.

And it was not a matter of just missing out. This was a major slump.

Casey shot a second round 80 at the Forest of Arden, had two 78s at Wentworth and then quit the US Open after an opening 85. On his return to action at the European Open he scored 78 and 75, then had two 75s in the Open at St Andrews.

"I could see he was down," said Campbell, who has known such depths of despair himself.

"It's an individual sport, but you would be surprised how many players get on well.

"I'm not saying I changed his career, but it's nice to see him playing well again and maybe I contributed 1 per cent to it."

Campbell's advice was simple - "just hang in there, mate, be patient, and things will come to you".

The pair even have what they call a "complicated" betting system going on between them.

They refused to go into details, but needless to say it adds an edge to their head-to-head in the final round.

Casey has won since turning things round last year, but the China Open does not compare to an event where the field includes not only a current major champion, but also eight other members of the last Ryder Cup side.

Casey said of the challenge he expects from the Maori: "Cambo is more than just another player - he is a tremendous player.

"To put the pressure back on me he's the man to beat. When he's hot he's extremely hot.

"He's looked after me. I got help from a lot of people when I went through my bad patch and he was certainly one of them.

"I know what it's like to win a tournament here, though, and hopefully that will help me."

Casey was a four-stroke winner of the Benson and Hedges International Open at The Belfry three years ago - the last time the European tour paid a visit to the famous Ryder Cup venue.

The £300,000 first prize and accompanying world ranking points tomorrow would be a huge boost to Casey's hopes of earning a second cap. He lies ninth in the race at the moment, but could leap to fifth.

It would also move him back into the world's top 50. He missed out on the Masters last month and needs to be in the elite again to avoid a qualifying competition for next month's US Open.